05-11-2026, 11:22 AM
(05-11-2026, 11:07 AM)RasheedsBigWhiteSpot Wrote: At the trade deadline, I wish they'd Mavs had offered the Pacers Gafford in deal similar to the Zubac structure. I would've said Gafford for only the 2026 protected pick (same structure, but no future picks from the Pacers). And if the pick conveys like it did, Indiana gets the 2029 Lakers pick.
Of course, you could ask yourself what the Clippers would want for 5 (not flipping). Do they see themselves as needing win now pieces since, if they keep KL (and they can't really tank), would they want pieces like Gafford or even Kyrie?
I remember checking out the Pacers boards at the deadline. I thought the deal would be centered around Mathurin. Most Pacers fans thought that was too much to trade for Gafford. I tended to agree but if the Pacers were not going to pay Mathurin it was probably good to move him early. Gafford is a really good rotation center. Zubac is a really good center. It is funny, when they were talking about Zubac most Pacers fans did not want to give up two first round picks for him. At the time, the 2026 was not even in consideration. That trade looks really bad right now. Although the Pacers should still be really good next year. The key is getting Haliburtan back close to where he was. I have some concerns there.
I am guessing Pacer fans would probably drive Mathurin to the airport for Gafford if we knew what we do now.